Electron multipliers and microchannel plates

Abstract

An electron multiplier can be fabricated by depositing an electron emissive material on a reticulated substrate, and forming the reticulated substrate into the electron multiplier.

1. An electron multiplier, comprising:
 an elongated electrode; and 
 a structure surrounding a portion of a cross section of the electrode, the structure comprising randomly interconnected fibers, shards, or spheres. 
 
     
     
       2. The multiplier of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode is a wire. 
     
     
       3. The multiplier of  claim 1 , wherein the structure completely surrounds a cross section of the electrode. 
     
     
       4. The multiplier of  claim 1 , wherein the structure is spaced from the electrode. 
     
     
       5. The multiplier of  claim 1 , further comprising a hydrogen-containing material on a portion of the structure. 
     
     
       6. The multiplier of  claim 5 , wherein the hydrogen-containing material comprises a polymer. 
     
     
       7. The multiplier of  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of electrodes. 
     
     
       8. The multiplier of  claim 7 , wherein the electrodes are symmetrically arranged about a cross section of the multiplier. 
     
     
       9. The multiplier of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode and the structure are coaxial. 
     
     
       10. The multiplier of  claim 1 , wherein the structure has a circular cross section. 
     
     
       11. The multiplier of  claim 1 , wherein the structure has a polygonal cross section. 
     
     
       12. The multiplier of  claim 1 , wherein the structure comprises a neutron sensitive material. 
     
     
       13. The multiplier of  claim 1 , wherein the structure comprises an electron emissive material. 
     
     
       14. The multiplier of  claim 1 , wherein the structure comprises lead. 
     
     
       15. The multiplier of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode is a negative electrode. 
     
     
       16. The multiplier of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode is a positive electrode. 
     
     
       17. A microchannel plate comprising:
 a plate having an array of channels, each channel having a surface layer that is semi-conductive and electron emissive, the plate comprising hydrogen-containing material in which energetic protons are released and secondary electrons are produced within the plate when neutrons strike the hydrogen-containing material. 
 
     
     
       18. The microchannel plate of  claim 17  in which the hydrogen-containing material comprises a polymer that comprises hydrogen atoms. 
     
     
       19. The microchannel plate of  claim 17  in which the hydrogen-containing material comprises at least one of high-density polyethylene, nylon, or polyaramid. 
     
     
       20. The microchannel plate of  claim 17  in which the channels are oriented normal to an input side and an output side of the plate. 
     
     
       21. An electron multiplier comprising:
 a porous plate between a first electrode and a second electrode, the plate having a structure that defines openings within the plate, the structure having surfaces that comprise neutron-sensitive material, the plate comprising hydrogen-containing material in which energetic protons are released and secondary electrons are produced within the plate when neutrons strike the hydrogen-containing material. 
 
     
     
       22. The electron multiplier of  claim 21  in which the hydrogen-containing material comprises at least one of high-density polyethylene, nylon, or polyaramid. 
     
     
       23. The electron multiplier of  claim 21  in which the hydrogen-containing material comprises a polymer that comprises hydrogen atoms. 
     
     
       24. The electron multiplier of  claim 21  in which the openings comprise channels that are oriented normal to an input side and an output side of the plate.